We all know Lululemon by now – if you haven’t seen them tagged all over Instagram, you’ll at least have heard about their exorbitantly priced activewear. Thankfully though, athleisure as both a fashion trend and a sportswear necessity have been on the rise, which means there are tons of other options around – ones that can rival in style but won’t break the bank. Take your pick with a peace of mind; ain’t nobody got time for $100 leggings.

Get it while it’s hot, right? At the moment, Beyonce’s kick-ass athleisure line has to be our favourite, partly because it’s so on-point with being streetwear chic, and partly because we’re still vibing on Lemonade. The line features v-band sports bras, slim-fit bodysuits, and seamless bottoms, but the star of the collection is definitely the range of sweat-wicking core leggings. They come in three lengths and are made to flatter all body types; plus they’re Bey-approved to be suitable for any sport. And even if you aren’t a hardcore athlete, there are street-appropriate pieces like the Elastic Joggers and Mesh Bomber that will make any fashionista green with envy.

One thing we’ve learned the fun way – never underestimate the vastness of F21. For a quick and cheap fix of activewear basics, your local Forever 21 offers a huge range of sports bras, joggers, and leggings – which ironically aren’t boring or “basic” in the slightest. We particularly love their bright neon sports bras (that come with matching bottoms!), which average around $20 and add a fresh pop of colour to your usual workout gear; if you’re feeling adventurous, spring for the daring cut-out bras instead, which also make for great layering pieces under sheer tops.

Think Urban Outfitters aesthetic, but with unique and abstract leggings that, frankly, make us think of tasteful watercolour paintings. And at £25 (est. S$50), they’re a steal! But if loud bottoms aren’t your thing, the European brand offers a slick selection of yoga tees and sports bras too – which come in Gentle, Medium, and High support, so you’ll get maximum comfort and performance on top of style.

There’s only one catch – they don’t deliver outside of Europe. But before you get your fitness knickers in a twist, relax; Oysho’s on-trend activewear isn’t entirely out of reach. By joining the Airfrov community, you’ll instantly become part of a society of shopping-savvy travellers. Simply post a request of what you’d like to get from anywhere in the world, and fellow Airfrov travellers in the area with extra luggage space could help bring it back to you – all for a little tip. It’s a whole lot easier than waiting on sprees or freight forwarders; and definitely worth it the next time you flaunt your new wardrobe at your next Hot Yoga session.

And we’re talking really cheap. More for the comfort-conscious athlete, the e-tailer specialises in hoodies, neutral joggers, and basic active tees – most of which cost under US$20. We know, insane, especially when you can get yoga leggings and tanks for just US$15. Joe Fresh currently ships only within the United States, but when your daily activewear basics are that inexpensive, there’s really no passing it up.

We aren’t so much in love with Carbon38’s house brand pieces than we are the lines they carry – which you’ll be glad to know are constantly on sale. It’s kind of like ASOS, but for activewear; the LA-based luxury fitness e-commerce curates the best of sportswear labels from around the world, so it’s pretty much your one-stop shop for anything athleisure. If you’re a little tight on your budget, but still want to make a statement, have a browse through the sports bras, which, on sale, average US$20 and come in a crazy range of colours, prints, patterns, and cuts – featuring well-known brands like Alo Yoga, We Are Handsome, Mara Hoffman, and even the hipster favourite Koral.

The coolest part about this site: they use actual yoga instructors and fitness professionals to model the clothes, so you’ll get to see how the activewear looks on a real, toned fitness pro in action; instead of a waif-thin model who probably has no real need for exercise.

Seems like it was ten years ago when we last shopped at Cotton On, but this Aussie brand scattered all around the island has stepped up its game with its line of activewear. For no-frills workout bras, tights, and track pants, cast your judgments about quality aside and check out your nearest Cotton On – we promise the “2 for $35” deals will make your trip worthwhile.

Fashion is no doubt one of the most environmentally harmful industries in the world, so this Canadian retailer is for all the fitness folks who want to help reduce their carbon footprint on the earth. And just because the pieces are made from recycled fibres and cooling materials, it doesn’t mean quality or style is compromised. Far from it – the brand focuses on simple but quality essentials in classic colours and fit that will remain staples in your workout wardrobe for a long time to come. And with most of the gear on the site going for less than US$50, they’re staying pretty true to their mantra: Pay less, sweat more.

Want to get your hands on these athleisure wear without the exorbitant shipping fees? Ask travellers to help you bring it back. Post a request on Airfrov, our community of frequent travellers will be notified and they will offer to help you bring it back for a small fee. Check out what others are requesting for:

This article was contributed by ShopBack Singapore, a local cashback site that provides cashback for over 500 local and international online stores.

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